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Business Today strengthens leadership team with Alok Nair as CRO
Mumbai: The India Today Group (ITG) has strengthened the leadership team at Business Today as the Group mulls over its expansion into business and economic news.
In a significant move, the ITG on Monday announced the appointment of a business growth specialist and well-known business genre expert, Alok Nair as chief revenue officer (CRO). The Group has also roped in financial journalist Alokesh Bhattacharyya as managing editor and content strategist Aayush Ailawadi as tech editor of the business magazine.
Nair holds a sterling record in providing management consulting and strategic breakthroughs across media and catalysing transformation across key sectors. In the past, he has worked with media brands such as The Times of India, Network 18, and Bloomberg in various leadership capacities across print, TV and digital platforms. Most of the IPs created by Nair are still the benchmark in the business news space.
He also headed a management consulting practice that developed growth strategies and sustainable turnarounds for media and non-media organisations. His notable work includes the comprehensive solutions he provided to leading bourses, BFSI firms, and large corporates.
Speaking about his new role, Nair said, “With a surge in younger population entering the investing, wealth-creation and spending space, there is a need for a robust platform that informs, engages and enables the youth of India on all aspects of money across asset classes. Brands are today wanting a conducive, credible and engaging environment to effectively communicate with younger audiences.”
“As a network, the ITG is at a unique vantage point to create marquee opportunities for brands across its leading TV and digital assets – Aaj Tak, India Today, Good News Today, and Business Today,” he added.
Bhattacharyya returns for a third stint with the ITG over a period of two decades. In the interim, he has held crucial editorial roles at Business World and at The Economic Times (ET). In his most recent assignment at ET, Bhattacharyya was the founder-editor of the ET Family Business Forum and Awards, ET Innovation Awards, and Amrop-ET Best Boards Awards.
“I am delighted to return to Business Today at this exciting time when media is evolving into the next level of integration between multiple mediums including print, digital, television, and radio. The kind of opportunity this provides for both journalists and readers, in terms of content curation, is mindboggling. I look forward to being part of the effort to transform Business Today into a multimedia powerhouse,” said Bhattacharyya on his appointment.
A renowned television presenter, content strategist and multimedia producer, Ailawadi was an editor for technology and special features at Network 18 in his last role. Previously, he was an anchor and special correspondent at BloombergQuint (BQ) and was part of the channel’s launch team. At BQ, he managed the evening team of producers and reporters and hosted primetime and technology shows. Ailawadi has also worked with brands like Amazon, Walmart, Mercedes, LG, Oppo, and Huawei as a content strategist on numerous campaigns.
“I am stoked to be a part of the India Today family. Business Today, TV Today, and India Today have always been at the forefront of innovation and it is incredibly exciting to be joining an organisation that is all set to take the world by storm with its unique digital-first approach. The pandemic has only accelerated seismic shifts in the world of technology and I hope to be able to decode these changes, especially for our millennial and Gen Z audiences,” said Ailawadi.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
